Socata TBM 700 accident near Zemyo, Jp, August 14, 2017
On August 14, 2017 at about 3:15 am local time, a Socata TBM 700, registered N702AV, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Zemyo. It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2017 · about 3:15 am local time
- Place
- Zemyo, Japan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Socata TBM 700 NO SERIES · all TBM 700s on the register
- Registration
- N702AV · no longer on the register · serial 182
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On Aug 14, 2017, at 1215 Japan standard time, a United States registered Socata TBM 700 airplane, N702AV, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances near Zemyo in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Yao Airport and was destined for Fukushima Airport. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Japan Transport Safety Board. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Japanese government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) 2-1-2, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan Phone: +81-3-5253-8814 Fax: +81-3-5253-1677 https://www.mlit.go.jp/jtsb/english.html
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 6,579 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-6 SERIES (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RJOY Yao at 3:00 am
- Destination: RJFS Fukushima
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.